Folding hat cover



- U U k) SILAROH ROOM Nov. 17, 1953 w. s. JONES 2, 8

FOLDING HAT COVER Filed Oct. 30, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l IHHIHIIIHIIHIIIHIIIIIllllllmllllllllllllllllllflllllllllllllflllflllllIIHHIIIIIIIIHHI William .S. Jones uvvz-zzvron.

17, 1953 w. s. JONES FOLDING HAT COVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 30, 1950 William 5. Jones INVENTOR.

M S d-{ Patented Nov. 17, 1953 FOLDING HAT COVER William S. Jones, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor of onehalf to Andrew Summers, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application October 30, 1950, Serial No. 192,972

2 Claims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a folding hat cover and more specifically pertains to a folding box for holding a hat therein.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a means for holding a hat in position in a foldable box which is capable of protecting the hat from the elements in which it may be easily transported.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for holding a hat, which means is capable of protectively covering a hat in its open position and which may be easily and compactly folded when not in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a foldable hat cover wherein is contained an integral folding means for positioning a hat thereon.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a foldable hat box which combines a means for positioning a hat in a box with means for urging the cover to its open position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a foldable hat box which includes a means for reinforcing the covering means whereby the hat may be maintained in the box without danger of being crushed.

'Still another object of this invention is to provide a foldable hat box which provides a covering for a hat which is waterproof and transparent in nature.

Another object of this invention is realized in the provision of a means for hanging the foldable hat box on a suitable support and also to provide a means for adhering the entire box to a surface adapted for such adhesion means.

Still other objects of this invention are to be found in the provision of a foldable hat box which is light in weight, compact in size, durable for its purpose, attractive in appearance, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

These, together with various other ancillary objects and features of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical perspective view illustrating the hat box in an erected and closed position;

Figure 2 is a vertical perspective view illustrating the hat box in a completely folded position;

Figure 3 is a horizontal top plan view illusl l a trating the hat box in an open position with the closure means in a folded position;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a rear vertical view illustrating the hat box in an open position;

Figure '7 is a plan view of the specific adhesive means employed for mounting the hat box on specially designed surfaces.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be noted that Figures 1, 2 and 3 disclose all of the various and possible positions that the present invention is designed to maintain. Accordingly, in Figure l the numeral l0 designates generally a hat box designed to conform with the principles of this invention.

The general construction of the hat box I includes a base I! and a semi-ellipsoidal-shaped closure l4 secured to the base I! and extendin thereover. This general combination is further enhanced by the provision of a hat positioning means is mounted substantially in the central area of the base l2.

More specifically, the base I! includes a pair of hingedly or foldably connected bottom walls l8 and 20, preferably constructed of a rigid material as cardboard or the like, and covered on the bottom thereof by any suitable fabric 2| fixed, in any desired manner, not shown, to said walls. As seen in Figures 3 and 6, the entire base I2 is substantially elliptical in form when in the open position and obviously when the.

wall- I8 is folded toward the wall 20, the device is substantially semi-elliptical and is, therefore, seen to be a compact structure, which feature is an obvious advantage. The specific hinging means employed in the present embodiment is a longitudinal strip 22 positioned in the manner of a hinge between the bottom walls l8 and 20. The fabric used to cover the bottom walls l8 and 20 covers and is suitably fixed, in a manner not shown, to the bottom of the strip 22 and is the means whereby a folding cooperation between the walls is achieved by forming hinges between said walls I8, 20 at opposite sides of said strip 22.

The closure means I 4 comprises a pair of el liptical-shaped panel sections 24, each having an inwardly directed arcuate bend thereby defining longitudinally disposed hollows 26 and ridges 28 over theentire outer surface of the closure l4. The two panel sections 24 are provided with bottom edge portions 30 and 32 secured to the outer periphery of the base I2 as at 34, As a means for reinforcing and giving shape to the closure l4, there is provided at each ridge portion 28 a rigid and suitably bent wire rod 36 forming a bow which is enseamed along said ridge portion of each of the panel sections 24. These rods 36 are pivoted at opposite ends of the base 12. Specifically, pivot pockets 38 are provided on top of the base I2 at both ends of the hinging strip 22 and are open outwardly of the base l2. Each of the reinforcing rods 36 is terminally bent to form pivot posts 40 which are received in the pockets 38 as shown in Figure 4.

From the foregoing it is evident that the semiellipsoidal closure means l4 comprises a pair of foldable shells, or collapsible bellows sections 42 and 44 which when combined with the foldable base walls l8 and 28 resemble a bellows-like device. Any suitable means may be provided for securing the shells 42 and 44 together along their adjacent edges but as disclosed herein this means is a conventionally constructed zipper 45. As thus far described, the hat box could be effectively utilized to receive a hat therein while in the position seen in Figure 1 and could likewise, be

collapsed or folded into the position as illustrated in Figure 2 for storage when not in use.

However, it is most desirable when storing a hat in a hat box to have a means for positioning or holding a hat in one position inside of the box. This feature becomes evidently advantageous when it is realized that the hat box is quite generally mounted in a vertical position and furthermore when it is realized that a hat box of this nature is quite often carried around thereby subjecting a hat, not otherwise secured therein, to much jostling or the like whereby the hat may be easily damaged. To alleviate this condition, a hat positioning or holding means l6 has been provided which has generally a three-fold function, subsequently to be seen, structurally, however, this hat positioning means l6 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed upstanding walls 46 and 48 which are centrally located within the hat box l0. Each of these upstanding walls comprise portions 58 and 52, angularly disposed relative to each other and which at their lower edges are bent inwardly to form similarly, angularly disposed flange members 54 and 56, respectively, on which the portions 58, 52 hinge for folding and which are further secured to the bottom walls l8 and 28, respectively. These upstanding walls 46 and 48 are constructed of a material such as cardboard or the like and may be covered in any suitable manner with a fabric, not shown, matching the covering fabric 2| of the base l2. However, at a portion connecting the portions 46 and 50, namely, at 58, foldable joints are provided by a pair of parallel fold lines 58 shown in Figure 5.

As will be quite evident, when folding the walls 3 and 28 toward one another from the position as illustrated in Figure 3 to the position as illustrated in Figure 2, the flange portions 54 and 56 will tend to urge the foldable joints formed by the fold lines 58 outwardly and downwardly of their position as illustrated in Figure 3, whereby in the completely folded position of the device, the portions 58 will fold fiat against the strip 22 along the same. In like manner, in each of the parts 46 and 48, the portions 58 and 52 will move toward one another and finally lie substantially face 56 will fold toward each other to cause the portions 46, 50 to flatten out and fold the portions 58 outwardly and downwardly, the portions 46, 58 hinging on the flanges 54, 56 and portions 58 during this operation. Therefore, it will be evident that as thus far described, the hat positioning means l6 both performs its function in holding a hat as at 68 thereon and further it is seen that this device is adapted to neatly and compactly fold within the walls when not in use, thereby conforming to the over-all principle of the folding hat cover.

Yet, another feature is desirable in any hat box such as this and that feature is a means for maintaining the bottom walls, as I8 and 20, in coplanar relationship when the hat box is being used. The present invention incorporates this feature in a cooperative relationship with the hat positioning means [6, and accordingly, as seen in Figure 3, comprises an elastic band 62 stretched over and between the portions 58 of the oppositely disposed upstanding wall portions 46 and 48 and fastened in any suitable manner in a notch 62 in each of said portions 58, as shown in Figure 5. As seen in Figure 3, the elastic band is under slight tension and it will be evident that this force of tension yeldingly resists folding movement of the means l6 and hence folding movement of the bottom walls l8 and 20 towards one another. This follows because the elastic band 62 tends to pull the portions 58 toward each other and such movement of the portions 58 is limited by the angular arrangement of the portions 46, 58 fixed to the flanges 54, 56 which are fixed to the bottom walls I8, 20. Obviously, the amount of resistance offered by the elastic band 62 is determined by the strength of the walls 46 and 48 and the tension employed in the band itself. Therefore, the third functional advantage to be seen as resulting from the hat positioning means I6 is the cooperative relationship between the walls 46 and 48 and the elastic band 62 in maintaining the bottom wall 18 in a coplanar relationship with the bottom wall 28.

Further refinements of the device are to be found in the means for hanging the hat box It) in a vertical position, such as might be envisioned from Figure 3. In accordance with this object, rings 64 are provided terminally of the strip 22 whereby the hat box can be supported on any convenient hanger.

Since this device is adaptable for traveling purposes, it very often will be used in automobiles and in this event, there may not be any hook or the like for receiving the ring portions 64. Therefore, some other means must be utilized so that the hat box may b positioned or hung on the walls. This invention accordingly provides adhesiv tabs 66, as seen in Figure '7, which are placed at suitable intervals around the periphery of the rear surface of the hat box, as seen in Figure 6. These tabs 66 are provided on one surface thereof with a gummed tape, as at 68, in the manner of ordinary adhesives. The tabs 66 are secured by sewing or some similar manner to the rear portion of the base l2 with the adhesive surface 68 exposed outwardly. However, in the event that this manner of hanging the device is not contemplated, th tabs 66 may still be provided but the adhesive surface 68 may be covered with a cheese cloth 10, or the like to protect the adhering qualities of the surface 68 until it is ready for use.

The means for holding the walls l8 and 20 together when the device is in a folded position as seen in Figure 2 is a strap 12 secured to the rear of the wall l8 and adaptable to fit over the top of the walls l8 and 20. This strap 12 is provided with a conventional snap fastener 14 havingthe male portion on the strap 12 and the complementary female portion 13 at a proper position on the rear side of the bottom wall 2|. It is to be understood that these snap fasteners 12 may be provided with the adhesive tabs 66, as seen in Figure '7, by sewing them centrally within said tab members. In this manner the symmetrical and proper positioning of the ad hesive tab 66 is not disturbed around the periphery of the hat box.

Finally, it should be noted that the panel sections 24, which together form the closure means 14, may be of any desired fabric flexible in nature but are preferably of a transparent waterproof plastic material.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A folding hat box comprising a pair of bottom walls having edges hingedly connected togetherfor relative swinging of said walls into side by side folded position and into coplanar unfolded position to support a hat, closure means attached to said walls, respectively, for covering said hat and collapsible into folded position to uncover the hat, and hat positioning means surmounting and connected to said walls on opposite sides of the hinge connection of said walls and comprising jointed sections foldable into side by side relation by swinging of said walls into folded position, and means operatively connected to and tensioning the sections of the hat positioning means against folding, the tensioned sections of the hat positioning means yieldingly opposing folding of said walls.

2. A folding hatbox comprising a pair of bottom wall having edges hingedly connected together for relative swinging of said walls into side by side folded position and into unfolded coplanar relation to support a hat, and hat positioning means surmounting and connected to said wails on opposite sides of the hinge connection of said walls and comprising jointed sections foldable by swinging of said walls into folded position, and means operatively connected to and tensioning the sections of said hat positioning means against folding, the tensioned sections of the hat positioning means yieldingly opposing folding of said walls.

WILLIAM S. JONES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,236,697 Fechner Aug. 14, 1917 1,691,904 Gamble Nov. 13, 1928 1,992,618 Jeffreys Feb. 26, 1935 2,133,896 Lawson Oct. 18, 1938 2,552,699 Warfield May 15, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 321,369 Great Britain Nov. '7, 1929 341,900 France June 23, 1904 469,494 France Ma 22, 1914 632,509 Great Britain Nov. 28, 1949 

